KC Drive Inn Favorites Are Back

Photo: Melissa Chang

We’re all looking for a good deal these days, and now you can get one with a touch of nostalgia. If you’ve missed KC Drive Inn, with their renowned waffle dogs and Ono Ono shakes, you can get them and more every weekend at Shingon Mission on Sheridan Street with prices that are almost reminiscent of yesteryear.

Originally, the temple’s kitchen was used to feed the congregation, but due to declining membership, it became vacant, and they rented it out to keep it in use. Dayton Asato—whose family owned KC Drive Inn since 1934 (it was founded in 1929)—is a Shingon Mission member and had talked about opening a little satellite café there with fellow congregant Keith Suyat Terauchi and Rev. Reyn Tsuru for the last two decades, well before KC Drive Inn closed in 2005.

Photo: Melissa Chang

The vision finally came to fruition last year, when Suyat, along with Shingon members Edgar Milan and Garrett Oshiro, agreed to revive the operation and see if they could run a restaurant.

They quietly started offering KC Drive Inn waffle dogs and burgers outside the temple, allowing patrons to get a satisfying lunch for just $6.

About three months ago, Mama Woo’s BBQ, which had been using the temple’s kitchen to prep for many years, moved out, and KC Drive Inn moved in. Now, they serve saimin, teri beef and drinks, including the famous Ono Ono shake, with counter seating and a few small tables for dining. They also set up a tent outside for the overflow.

Photo: Melissa Chang

On my last visit, I went with my high school friends, and we ordered one of everything: KC cheeseburger deluxe ($9), teri beef deluxe ($8), saimin ($6), a side of two pieces teri beef ($5 for the set of two), Ono Ono shake ($6), strawberry freeze ($6), and of course, a KC waffle dog ($5), which totals $45. You can feed three people (or two very hungry ones) for less than $50, which is unheard of these days.

I don’t think I need to tell you what these items taste like. Everyone who comes through who is of (ahem) a certain age has said they feel like they’re back in high school. The younger customers simply enjoy the old-school flavors at old-school prices. Asato drops by to make sure everything is going smoothly, but more importantly, to talk story with customers. He loves seeing all the interactions, especially when young families come in to share the nostalgia with their children.

Photo: Melissa Chang

Shingon member Ryan Oshiro brews his own custom blend of coffee, which is now on the menu for $3. I made my own “affogato” by adding a couple of spoonfuls of the Ono Ono shake to my cup, which I highly recommend.

Tsuru, meanwhile, is stoked to see the temple getting back to its roots by serving as a gathering place for the community. “With all the challenges of the outside world, it’s nice to have a quiet spot to talk and enjoy the moment with old and new friends,” he said. “We’ll get through this … one saimin bowl at a time.”

Open Fridays from 5 to 9 p.m. and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., free parking, 915 Sheridan St., Ala Moana, (808) 562-6743, @kcatthemission

Melissa Chang is a longtime contributor to Frolic Hawai‘i. @melissa808